Bears-Packers wager made by top NASCAR drivers

Typically when NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stars Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch discuss the “field” it has to do with 41 other drivers and isn’t named “Lambeau,” but on Thursday, Sept. 13 that all changes. Prior to heading to Chicagoland Speedway to kick off the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Kenseth and Busch will make a friendly wager as the Chicago Bears take on the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

Kenseth, a native of Cambridge, Wis., is a life-long Green Bay fan who attends four to five Packers games a year. Busch, who hails from Las Vegas, Nev., but has family in Chicago’s Northwest suburbs, is a die-hard Bears fan who will head up to Wisconsin to witness one of the National Football League’s most storied rivalries.

Should the Bears win, Kenseth will have to wear a Chicago Bears jersey to Sunday’s drivers meeting. Should the Packers emerge victorious, Busch will be sporting the green and gold before the start of the GEICO 400. Unsurprisingly, Busch is not lacking confidence heading into the Week 2 matchup.

“This is a no-brainer. Cutler to Marshall to start it, Urlacher and Peppers to finish it,” said Busch, driver of the No. 51 for Phoenix Racing. “A 2-0 start to the season for the Bears will be great, but seeing Kenseth in navy and orange will definitely be an added bonus.”

For his part, Kenseth isn’t too worried about the matchup.

“Everyone in Chicago is excited right now, but Green Bay is going to bring them right back down to earth,” said Kenseth, driver of the No. 17 for Roush Fenway Racing. “I think Aaron Rodgers will do Kurt a favor and get this one over by halftime just so we can have a little extra sleep before we head to Chicagoland Speedway to go racing.”

With the Thursday night game Kenseth, Busch and race fans don’t need to worry about missing their favorite NFL teams play while racing on Sunday. Fans interested in the game are invited to attend a viewing party at Hollywood Casino hosted by Chicagoland Speedway. The party begins at 6:30 pm ahead of a 7:20 kickoff, but fans are encouraged to arrive early in order to view the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Hauler Parade which will depart from Hollywood Casino at 5:00 pm.